Baseball Defeats Santa Clara In Ten Innings, 5-4

Santa Barbara, Calif. - Brian Adams hit a walk-off single scoring Chad Ziemendorf in the bottom of the tenth inning to give the Gauchos the victory over Santa Clara on Sunday, 5-4. The series win over Santa Clara was UC Santa Barbara's first of the season.

Designated hitter Greg Powers singled to lead off the bottom of the tenth inning. A failed sacrifice bunt attempt by Ziemendorf forced Powers out at second base. The next batter, first baseman Bill Rowe popped out to the shortstop, to record the second out of the inning. After Patrick Overholt hit Matt Stevens with a pitch, Adams delivered the game winning hit into centerfield, scoring Ziemendorf from second.

"The baseball gods gave us one," commented head coach Bob Brontsema on the walk-off bloop single by Adams.

The Broncos struck for two runs in the top of the second inning. Catcher Jim Wallace led off with a single and later scored on an error by Josh Fulton on an attempted double play. Santa Clara scored their second run of the inning on a high throw to the plate from first baseman Bill Rowe, allowing Will Thompson to slide in safely.

The Gauchos scored their first run of the ballgame in the bottom of the fourth inning. Nic Rodriguez doubled, scoring Matt Wilkerson from second pulling UCSB within one, 1-2.

UC Santa Barbara added a couple of runs in the fifth inning to pull ahead, 3-2. Rodriguez collected his second RBI of the game, driving in Gabe Mann from third.

In the top of the sixth inning Bronco first baseman Will Thompson hit a home run off starter Matt Vasquez to even the score, 3-3.

Matt Wilkerson's sacrifice fly gave the Gauchos the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning. 4-3.

Santa Clara tied the game on a fielder's choice that scored Wallace in the top of the eight inning. The Broncos threatened later in the inning, loading the bases with one out. Joe Diefenderfer was hit by a Morlock fastball, however, home plate umpire Bill Gatson saw no attempt for Diefenderfer to get out of the way of the pitch and called him back to the plate to finish his at bat. Morlock regrouped and induced Diefenderfer to ground into the inning ending double play.

Freshman pitcher Steve Morlock picked up the win for the Gauchos going three scoreless innings in relief. "Morlock was outstanding today. He got into some jam's here and there, but was able to pitch through them," commented Brontsema on his freshman pitcher. Santa Clara's Patrick Overholt was credited with the loss.

Nic Rodriguez led UCSB's offensive attack going 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles and two RBI.

"This was a huge win for our team. We are a lot better baseball club than our record reflects," added Brontsema.

The Gauchos return to action against Sacramento State this weekend at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium. Friday's game starts at 2:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday's games start at 1:00 p.m.